Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has run the rule over Argentina’s opponents at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia and declared that none of them will be capable of stopping superstar Lionel Messi who is desperate for a winners’ medal as he gradually winds down his playing career.
Simeone, himself an accomplished former Argentine international midfieder, made this known at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium in Uyo on Tuesday moments after leading his team to a 3-2 victory over Nigeria’s Super Eagles Team B in the GOtv Max Cup friendly.
“Lionel Messi is a special player. He’s difficult to stop if he’s in good shape and he wants to win the World Cup before retiring so I don’t see any of the teams stopping him. But good luck to all the teams going to the World Cup,” the Atletico coach said.
Simeone also praised the valiant effort of the Nigerian team which he claimed surprised him, given the fact that this was not the main Nigerian time.
He said: “Your team is good. Very strong. They made the game difficult for us. Good luck to them.”
Simeone was a member of the Argentina team which lost the final of the football final to Nigeria at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.
